ShelliesTrying Member

@kshama2001 I am working on getting a pay raise. Our "cost of living" raise was 1.5% this year which was less that .20 for me. I have given them the information showing that I am under paid by upto $12k/yr. I don't see a change happening. I am able to work from home so I get a couple extra hours a week, however, we aren't…

I appreciate the concern. I really don't want to leave my job. I love the people I work with and the job itself. I have been applying for a 2nd job, just haven't gotten one yet. My 3yo is not my biological child so I don't think I can get WIC on her. My daycare cost is minimal. She stays with her gpa when he is off or…

I do have a question about using the crock pot. I don't use it often bc I am away from the house from 7am-6pm. (I work in a different town) Most recipes call for a max of 8 hours. Any suggestions to be able to start something at 7am and it not be mush by 6pm?

@ChapinaGrande I can't really cut my hours. My job is m-f 8-5. I have actually been working extra at home to help. I am able to get maybe an extra 5 hours a week but that's about it.

I don't really know how to address your comment @madhatter2013 . I love my job and it's more of a career than "just" a job. I do not have a degree, I want to go school but I just can't swing that right now. I have been applying for a second job but haven't gotten one yet. I am doing what I can.

I have a package to try. I will make that happen this weekend. I will probably stick to the regular bc they are cheaper and do the job! Thanks for this

We use the air popper regularly!

A couple have mentioned enchiladas. We have these from time to time and I do make my own sauce. I make a batch big enough for 2-3 dishes and freeze what I don't use for that dinner. I have done that for years. My former husbands gma gave me her recipe and I have never used anything else.

I really appreciate all of the realistic information everyone has shared.

http://www.theyummylife.com/Slow_Cooker_Apple_Cinnamon_Oatmeal This what I found to try. Can anyone tell me if steel cut is genuinely better than regular oatmeal we've been eating for years, or is this just trendy?

We NEVER have old milk in our house. We can go thru up to 6 gallons a week. Especially during the summer while the kids are out of school. 3 and 13yo drink lots and lots of milk. I don't buy any juices bc it's mostly sugars anyways.

I appreciate this! I have been searching and it's really easy to find "cheap, quick and easy" meals that are horribly unhealthy and equally as easy to find information on eating healthy on a budget when you are one person. I want to continue my weight loss but most importantly keep them healthy. I have to figure out how to…

I do make bread! I have a bread machine and have taught my 13yo how to make bread with it. We had a big pot of potato soup and she made bread bowls with the dough setting on the bread machine. We were stuffed! And yes my kids love a pot of beans. I found 1lb bags at walmart last weekend that were cheaper than the bigger…

2/3 of my kids love oatmeal. I just need to get it in there more. I've only been able to concentrate on keeping us alive the last 3 months so it's been sandwiches, eggs and cereal pretty regularly. I catch those P3 things one sale 4/$5 and buy a lot of those. I have lived on those for 3 months and the kids also eat them…

The cereal comes in to play bc it is easy school mornings and not time consuming. I have been planning on trying the over night crock pot oatmeal with steel cut oats but I haven't been able to yet. We learned how to use our waffle iron to make eggs for eggs sandwiches so that was exciting. It's just a habit I am working to…

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions.

I have never gardened. I wanted to start one this year but I just couldn't make it happen. (we had a very hard, life altering summer and I'm trying to get us on our feet) I do buy tuna, rice, beans, frozen fruits/veggies, oatmeal, peanut butter etc. I meant that I avoid the middle stuff like pop-tarts, chips, cookies,…

I have not used coupons. I don't know how people get into that, haha. When I see coupons they are usually for items that we don't use or eat so I never look for coupons. I will check into that. I do buy a lot of store brands.

I thought rice wasn't really all that good for you. I buy rice but don't make it often, I will look into that more and try to add it in more often. We eat A LOT of peanut butter sandwiches! Esp me and my 3yo, haha.

A goal of mine is to prepare meals for the week ahead on the weekends. I am generally so busy I haven't been able to accomplish that yet. Kids will devour a pot of beans as well, luckily!

I live in a rural area. Any bulk stores are 2 hours away. I do make it a couple times a year. I buy lots of fozen veggies. I don't buy a lot of canned foods in general. My 3yo loves all veggies so I try to keep sugar snap peas, cucumbers, sweet peppers and stuff like that for her. I try to keep apples, bananas and oranges…

We don't have a Big Lots! in the area. Closest one that I am aware of is probably 125+ miles away

You know what I have a cookbook about that, not sure if it's the same one you referenced but I will pull that out this weekend. Thanks!

I think there is one in the area, maybe. I am really looking for advice on how to shop, what things to buy to make the most of what money I have to spend.

I do get occasional child support and they count that in your income regardless of reliability on the payors part. I use the cs for the kids needs, which I know food is, but I don't count on it as part of my income bc it comes and goes. If that makes any sense.

I don't qualify bc I make a few hundred dollars over the income guidelines.

Just to add I shop at Wal-Mart bc it is all we have other than a couple small, local owned grocery stores and Wal-Mart is much cheaper. I have read lots and lots of articles about how to feed yourself on a budget but not for a family-that maintain a healthy diet. You can spend $10 and get 10 freezer meals and those are…

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Without fully knowing my situation I can see how it would not make sense to you that I am not on the phone with a therapist and dr right now while cramming food down my throat. I am not here for attention. I haven't ignored anyone's advice. I certainly didn't come here for anyone to…

I have surpassed 700 calories so far today. My stomach feels sick bit I'm working on it.

I feel like at this point I have broke my habit with pop so I don't want to reintroduce it. I also have not been eating junk, sugar etc. I would like to just keep adding healthy foods until I hit a sweet spot. I eat those P3 things-I assume everyone is familiar- and PB and try to get milk in during the day. I snack on…